Although he played on teams as a kid, Lou Dobbs eventually developed a love of individual sports like golfing and horse riding, which ties in with his spirited political independence.

These days, the national TV and radio broadcaster, who owns a home in West Palm Beach, also walks a lot and does light weight-lifting for fitness. He feels responsible for his own health. As he says, "It's all on me."

A: Because, obviously, it makes sense to do so. And we're using the term "fit" loosely. I usually battle it at 218 [pounds], and then I'm fighting back down. I've been as low as 202. That's a little too light for me. I try to stick around 210 if I can. I feel better and have more energy. I don't know if I'd call it "fitness" as much as an energy program.

Q: You lost weight in the past year. What motivated you?

A: I was coming to Fox and decided to get my weight down and energy back, and it's been great. I've tried to maintain that and have over the past year and a half. You can have all the demands not to do it, but I'm certainly glad I did.

A: I'm a very dull person. My idea of exercise is going up and down my hills at the farm [in Sussex County, New Jersey]. I get bored to tears on the treadmill.

In the winter, I walk around the farm and sometimes I'll work with the guys on the farm for fun. It's easier to keep active on a farm, walk a few miles. In winter, I also do the treadmill three or four times a week and work out with light weights. Nothing fancy and demanding, but makes all the difference in my energy level.

I do the weights three times a week. I don't do more than 100 pounds an arm — that's a joke! I do arms to maintain strength and feel better. For me, it's about feeling good. There's no driving health issue. I'm lucky to have my health and maintain it.

Q: Your West Palm Beach house is in Ibis Golf & Country Club. You play golf?

A:I play frequently, although I used to spend more time in Florida playing. I'm a duffer. I play every other weekend, spring through fall. Typically, I'm in Florida every weekend in winter. But this winter, because we started that show on Fox, I'm staying more time [in greater New York] to focus on that the first year.

Q: What's your handicap?

A: Around a 20 when I'm playing well.

Q: Do you walk the course or ride in a cart?

A: Both. We alternate walking and cart.

Q: Do you ride horses at your farm in New Jersey? In South Florida?

A: When I ride, it's at the farm in Sussex and just for fun. One of our daughters competes down in Wellington.

Q: Your family keeps fit?

A: Absolutely. My wife and kids, all of them stay fit, maintain their weight. Without exception. They're the definition of fitness. I get inspiration from them.

Q: Did you play sports in school?

A: I didn't play individual sports. I played football. But all [four] kids played individual sports. The kids picked up individual sports — I'm proud. Whether you play individual or team, I think it's great to be in active sports like tennis or golf or riding horses.

Q: Do you have any physical problems that hinder exercise?

A:No. I've got no excuses. It's all on me.

Q: Do you smoke or have any other health vices?

A: No. I drink rarely — socially.

Q: What's your typical daily diet?

A: My breakfast is fairly routine. I'll have either eggs and toast and grapefruit or oatmeal. Almost never varies from that, as boring as that sounds. Vegetables usually for lunch, whether it's a salad or broccoli. Dinner can be whatever it is. I'm still partial to steak and chicken.

I drink a lot of herbal tea. I probably — good grief — have four to five, at least, cups or glasses of herbal tea a day, three to four bottles of water per day, and a cup of coffee or two in the morning.

Q: Take vitamins or sports nutrition products?

A: My wife went on a high-protein diet and she gets these high-protein drinks that I love, too. That rounds out my diet. Except when I can get my hands on a piece of pizza or cheeseburger.

In his first budget address to lawmakers, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf laid out an ambitious $33.8 billion spending plan that raises taxes a combined 16 percent while slashing corporate and property taxes, restores cuts to education and wipes out the state's deficit.